The Republican journal., 1887-09-29
A Page that Should be Turned 0ut--not
Over.


nal revenue districts of Maine and New lIamp-
shire We're consolidated, with headquarters OF
the collector at Portsmouth, y. H., that the
Object in view was to defeat the amended pro-
hbitcry laws of this state which make the
payment of the United States special tax as a
liquor seller prihad focie evidence OF selling.
Although the L. $. laws require the collector
to post in Z conspicuous place il his office
list of the persons paying such taxes. Collec-
tor PAGE has not only refused to DO so. but to
allow access to his records. This was brought
to the attention of Internal Revenue Commits
sioner Miller by the Maine Congressional dele
cation and he assured them that i: the collector
did not prepare and post such a list Il, the
law requires the proper remedy would be al-
piled. But if such instructions were sci.t TO
Mr.. Page he still declines TO obey the laws and
his superior officer, and per>istcntly refuses TO
ALLOW Maine citizens to examine the list of
those who are paying special taxes III the State
as liquor dealers. The latest application for
al inspection Of the list was made by Rev.
David W. Lelacheur, pastor of the Vaughn
Street Methodist Church. Portland. and Rev.
Israel Luce. another Methodist clergyman be-
longing in South Berwick. The two Went in
company to Portsmouth on their mission, and
from Mr.. LelacheuI'> lips 4 Boston Herald
representative was furnished with an accoun!
of their interview with tie collector, as fol-
lows:
We called first at Mr.. Pages office. and
found only his deputy there We asked to see
the list. and he informed lis that he had 10 au-
thoritv. except from Mr. Page, to show it. He
tod US where Mr.. Pages law office was, and
we went there and found him. We asked him
to let Us the list. and he inquired the rea-
son. Mr.. Luce replied: Il wish to know who
are holding tax receipts in South Berwick for
the sale of Intoxicating liquors, that | may. if
possible. procure their prosecution. Mr. Page
a once 'eclined to show Mr.. Luce the list.
then AS Mr.. Page to let Inc examine the
list. with np lesign of prosecution. but decii-
cd to give my motive for wi>hin. to see ii. Mr..
Page refused to answer whether ! could see it
or not but referr ii Us to his deputy at the office.
We returned to he office aud consulted with
the deputy. who still insisted that he had no
authority to show the li>t except from Mr..
Page. We then rctraced our steps to Mr..
Pages law office. and again asked TO see the
list and get his final answer. In his interview
Mr.. Page seemed most excited and used lam
yuagc unbeconine gentleman. such a. ''you
have not acted the part of an honest man
| then submitted the following question to Mr.
Page III writing: "Will you show me the list
OF names who have paid nited States taxes in
Portland. | DO not want it with reference to
prosecution Mr.. Page answered: Il believe
YOU lie: Won cannot see the record at all Al
ter MI. Page declined to show the list, he said
ii was in use. We Immediately went back 10
the collectors Office ami asked the deputy.
who was sitting at the table. if the list was i'll
use. He replied that it was not. We asked
him if it was in The office. He said it was. but
he was not the keeper Of it. He also remark
ed that he was not sure he had seen II for
about two wears.
Thus it appears that Colcctor Page not only
refuses to obey the laws. but is abusive to
those who ask TO see the records. The kcn-
neboc journal well says in this connection: 1T
now seems to he the duty of Commi> >ioner
Miller to apply the remedy since he has i'll
formed our Congrcs ional delegation lie would.
surely, Mr.. Page having been called upon 10
explain former conduc, and having been i'll
structed regarding his t'utieS, by 50 gross and
stubborn a derelirtion Of duty cannot be re-
taned in a public office which is so important
as this. The demand now made for his re-
movaI is justified beyond dispute and we trust
it''''i
pie fact that he refuses to perform bis duties
The Prog. Age. recent ccnvort TO water.
regardless Of tS purity. grossly misrepresent>
the journal ia an editorial item published last
week. Wien the journal was advocating a
water supply for this city the Prog. Age YVES
throwing cold wafer OF what had come to Ie
a necessity. Pure water and plenty of it. on
just and equitable terms WAS what the Jour
nal Advocated. and it had no choice as to who
should DO the work, provided only that they
We're competent and responsible men. A. all
know there We're suspicious circumstances at
tending the giving out of the contract and the
suspicious then aroused We're strengthened
when later an cN-Mayor maoe the water com
pany factor in our city election, and sought
TO influence voters by promises of various
''joA>' in connection with the work
We have not sought 10 injure the water coni-
pany "mere!y hecall>e they have been Oh
speaking terms with some of our leading Tax
payers" but in common with the great major
ity of our citizens. and of the probable GUS
toners Of the water company. have regretted
which bodc evil both to the city and to the
company. .As to the locality chosen for d
reservoir Prof. CarmiehHl'> report is far more
damaging than anythin@ that has been said in
this paper, and it remains to he seen whether
the remedies he suggested are used, or prove
successful. In Exeter. n. H.. the same con-
dition of affairs apprehended here prevails TO-
L.. I c.
use by the local board of health.
The promptings of the eN-Mavor are plainly
seen in this attempt of the Prog. Age 10 lecry
honest criticism in the interest of the commun-
ity. His connection with the company is alone
sufficient to, cause it to be subjected to strict
scrutiny and to demand watchfulncSs on the
part of the city authorities. The contract calls
for an ample supply of water that 'sha at
all times be pure and wholesome and if oul
city government accepts Of anything less il
will fail in IFS iutY.
The late Republican, but now assistant Demo
crat, who is canyassing the county in the inter
est of the rum organ published in this city
does not find his work altogether pleasant
put her name on the list she promptly repie d
81 don't want to subscribe for the rum or.
gan" The canvasser said that it was not sc
considered, when the lady reoned that she
did not believe there was rumScllcr sober
enough to tell the truth but that would say the
paper i'll question was their organ. She knew
what she was talking about. and the great
NJ. moved on.
In the Superior Court at Augusta Sept. 2lst
Burns the seller Of imported liquor in orisina
packages was found guilty Of keeping a nui
sance. After the charge by Judge Whitehoust
the jury returned in three minutes a verdict o
guilty. Defendants counsel will take the cas-,
TO the taw Court of the State and to the Su
preme Court at Washington if necessary.
will no doubt be necessary, and it may well bt
doubted whether Burns will gain anything ex
cept in the way of expense by an appeal to the
Federal Court.
In recent interview Gen. Plaisted SAYS til,
Maine Democracy are ''almost" unanimous fol
Cleveland-that is, they would be if there were
Offices enough to go around. He also DewaiI
the fact that his party has no organization an,
no leader, worth mentioning. Modesty NJ
doubt forbade him to mention where leader
might be found, and where Federal office
say the pension agency at Augusta-wouId b.